This year, an estimated 1 in 10 adults will experience a period of depression. Vitamin B6 and methylcobalamin (a type of vitamin B12) deficiencies are associated with depression and anxiety. Vitamin B6 is a cofactor in the synthesis of the "feel good" neurotransmitter serotonin. Now research reports that vitamins B6 and B12 may lower the risk of depression in older adults. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the effects of...Read More
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This year, an estimated 1 in 10 adults will experience a period of depression. Vitamin B6 and methylcobalamin (a type of vitamin B12) deficiencies are associated with depression and anxiety. Vitamin B6 is a cofactor in the synthesis of the "feel good" neurotransmitter serotonin. Now research reports that vitamins B6 and B12 may lower the risk of depression in older adults. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the effects of...Read More
Inflammation is associated with aging and many chronic diseases including atherosclerosis (cholesterol-filled plaque in the arteries). Inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein and cytokines (interleukin-6) are known to be lower in older adults. Low levels of zinc are also associated with atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases. Now research reports that zinc supplementation may reduce inflammation and atherosclerosis risk. The double-blind study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, evaluated the effects of zinc treatment on...Read More
On June 4, 2010 First Lady Michelle Obama was joined by chefs from 37 states at the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. At the "Let's Move" event, Mrs. Obama addressed hundreds of chefs, including celebrity chefs Rachael Ray and Cat Cora. The First Lady asked the chefs to join her anti-obesity campaign by partnering with schools and working with parents and teachers to educate kids about healthy foods and nutrition. On...Read More
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) reports that one in five U.S. teens have abused prescription drugs. The national survey found that 23 percent of white high school students, 17 percent of Hispanics and 12 percent of blacks abuse medications such as Ritalin, Xanax and Percocet. The survey also found that 72 percent of teens have used alcohol, 37 percent have used marijuana, 6.5 percent have...Read More
Cranberries have been traditionally used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cranberries are rich in antioxidant proanthocyanidins (PACs) called A-type PACs. Previous studies suggest that PACs can decrease bacterial adhesion on urinary tract walls. Now research reports that higher cranberry doses (72 mg PACs) maximally promote urinary tract health. The study, published in BMC Infectious Diseases, investigated the effect of cranberry on the adhesion of bacteria on urinary tract walls. Researchers at the Marucci...Read More
Dark chocolate, rich in antioxidant polyphenols, may contribute to heart health and boost immunity. Eating one small square of dark chocolate (about 6 grams) daily has been found to offer optimum health benefits. Now research reports that eating small amounts of chocolate can lower cholesterol, but only in people at risk for heart disease. The meta-analysis, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reviewed studies of chocolate's effects on cholesterol levels. Researchers from the...Read More
Telomeres, located at the tips of DNA chromosomes, shorten with aging and oxidative stress. Telomere length has been found to be a biological marker of cell aging. Previous studies suggest that chronic psychological stress may shorten telomere length in immune cells. Now research reports that short periods of exercise can protect telomeres against stress-induced damage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate exercise...Read More
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Vinpocetine is extracted from the lesser periwinkle plant Vinca minor. Previous studies suggest that vinpocetine can promote brain health and cognition. In Europe, vinpocetine is used to treat cerebral vascular diseases. Now research reports that vinpocetine may reduce inflammation in chronic inflammatory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atherosclerosis (arterial plaque build-up that can lead to heart disease and stroke). The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, investigated...Read More
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits and abnormal contractions of gastrointestinal (GI) muscles. IBS affects about 10 to 20% of the population. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora. Now research reports that daily supplementation of probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299 v may reduce and treat IBS symptoms. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study, presented at the Digestive Disease Week Conference in New Orleans, investigated the effect of...Read More
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs have a high risk of bone fractures. PPI drugs, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid, are commonly taken for the treatment of heartburn. PPI prescription and OTC medications will now be required to carry a warning about increased risk of bone fractures. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acids back up into...Read More
Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant found in the skin of red grapes and red wine, as well as other plant foods like blueberries and nuts. Previous studies suggest that resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Now research reports that resveratrol may improve brain blood flow and function. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the effects of resveratrol supplementation on cognitive function and brain blood flow. Researchers at Northumbria...Read More
About 75 percent of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage with a low cure rate. At an early stage, ovarian cancer is treatable and curable. Previous studies found that elevated blood levels of CA-125 (cancer antigen-125) are increased in women with advanced ovarian cancer. However, CA-125 is not a predictable marker for early-stage ovarian cancer. Now research reports that screening CA-125 blood levels over time can detect early stages of ovarian...Read More
This year, an estimated 1 in 10 adults will experience a period of depression. Vitamin B6 and methylcobalamin (a type of vitamin B12) deficiencies are associated with depression and anxiety. Vitamin B6 is a cofactor in the synthesis of the "feel good" neurotransmitter serotonin. Now research reports that vitamins B6 and B12 may lower the risk of depression in older adults. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the effects of...Read More
Because type II diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, research into the role of nutrients in development of this debilitating disease is blooming. Not much is known about the function of vitamin D in glucose metabolism.Read More
Inflammation is associated with aging and many chronic diseases including atherosclerosis (cholesterol-filled plaque in the arteries). Inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein and cytokines (interleukin-6) are known to be lower in older adults. Low levels of zinc are also associated with atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases. Now research reports that zinc supplementation may reduce inflammation and atherosclerosis risk. The double-blind study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, evaluated the effects of zinc treatment on...Read More
On June 4, 2010 First Lady Michelle Obama was joined by chefs from 37 states at the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. At the "Let's Move" event, Mrs. Obama addressed hundreds of chefs, including celebrity chefs Rachael Ray and Cat Cora. The First Lady asked the chefs to join her anti-obesity campaign by partnering with schools and working with parents and teachers to educate kids about healthy foods and nutrition. On...Read More
Zinc deficiency in children may result in poor development, including hand-eye coordination, hearing and speech development as well as growth. Children who are undernourished are at increased risk of zinc deficiency and have developmental delays that can benefit from social stimulation.Read More
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) reports that one in five U.S. teens have abused prescription drugs. The national survey found that 23 percent of white high school students, 17 percent of Hispanics and 12 percent of blacks abuse medications such as Ritalin, Xanax and Percocet. The survey also found that 72 percent of teens have used alcohol, 37 percent have used marijuana, 6.5 percent have...Read More
Switzerland recently increased the amount of iodine added to table salt from 15 to 20mg/kg. This was in response to abnormally low levels of iodine in pregnant women and children as measured in urine output and circulating hormone levels.Read More
Cranberries have been traditionally used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cranberries are rich in antioxidant proanthocyanidins (PACs) called A-type PACs. Previous studies suggest that PACs can decrease bacterial adhesion on urinary tract walls. Now research reports that higher cranberry doses (72 mg PACs) maximally promote urinary tract health. The study, published in BMC Infectious Diseases, investigated the effect of cranberry on the adhesion of bacteria on urinary tract walls. Researchers at the Marucci...Read More
A preliminary study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(1):188-195) demonstrates that folic acid deficiency and/or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency (a key enzyme in folic acid metabolism) increases the incidence of fetal loss, intrauterine growth retardation, and heart defects in animals.Read More
Dark chocolate, rich in antioxidant polyphenols, may contribute to heart health and boost immunity. Eating one small square of dark chocolate (about 6 grams) daily has been found to offer optimum health benefits. Now research reports that eating small amounts of chocolate can lower cholesterol, but only in people at risk for heart disease. The meta-analysis, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reviewed studies of chocolate's effects on cholesterol levels. Researchers from the...Read More
Telomeres, located at the tips of DNA chromosomes, shorten with aging and oxidative stress. Telomere length has been found to be a biological marker of cell aging. Previous studies suggest that chronic psychological stress may shorten telomere length in immune cells. Now research reports that short periods of exercise can protect telomeres against stress-induced damage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate exercise...Read More
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(1):111-117) demonstrates that supplementation with choline can lower homocysteine levels in healthy men who have mildly elevated total homocysteine levels.Read More
Vinpocetine is extracted from the lesser periwinkle plant Vinca minor. Previous studies suggest that vinpocetine can promote brain health and cognition. In Europe, vinpocetine is used to treat cerebral vascular diseases. Now research reports that vinpocetine may reduce inflammation in chronic inflammatory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and atherosclerosis (arterial plaque build-up that can lead to heart disease and stroke). The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, investigated...Read More
In a recent issue of Canadian Family Physician (July 2005), an article was published answering a physician's question regarding which vitamins (and dosage) could be recommended to patients in light of the most recent research.Read More
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits and abnormal contractions of gastrointestinal (GI) muscles. IBS affects about 10 to 20% of the population. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the intestinal flora. Now research reports that daily supplementation of probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299 v may reduce and treat IBS symptoms. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study, presented at the Digestive Disease Week Conference in New Orleans, investigated the effect of...Read More
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs have a high risk of bone fractures. PPI drugs, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid, are commonly taken for the treatment of heartburn. PPI prescription and OTC medications will now be required to carry a warning about increased risk of bone fractures. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acids back up into...Read More
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(1):69-75) shows that the addition of a whey protein supplement reduces the rise in postprandial glucose and increases insulin secretion in Type 2 diabetics.Read More
Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant found in the skin of red grapes and red wine, as well as other plant foods like blueberries and nuts. Previous studies suggest that resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Now research reports that resveratrol may improve brain blood flow and function. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, investigated the effects of resveratrol supplementation on cognitive function and brain blood flow. Researchers at Northumbria...Read More
About 75 percent of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage with a low cure rate. At an early stage, ovarian cancer is treatable and curable. Previous studies found that elevated blood levels of CA-125 (cancer antigen-125) are increased in women with advanced ovarian cancer. However, CA-125 is not a predictable marker for early-stage ovarian cancer. Now research reports that screening CA-125 blood levels over time can detect early stages of ovarian...Read More
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005;82(1):32-40) discusses how an analysis model can determine which "functional foods" may actually be effective in preventing CVD.Read More
